Three Florida state agencies have recognized three land managers as the 2024 Jim Stevenson Resource Managers of the Year. The awards, presented by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), highlight individuals from each agency for their contributions to natural resource management.
Patricia “Patty” Wilbur, a Biological Scientist II at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park with the DEP’s Florida Park Service, was honored for over two decades of service. Wilbur has led significant habitat restoration projects, including restoring 1,005 acres of flatwoods habitat important to native wildlife. She has been active in prescribed fire management, serving as burn boss for 63 burns since 2011 and participating in nearly 200 burns covering more than 21,000 acres throughout her career. Her responsibilities also include managing invasive species and protecting cultural resources.
Charlie Pedersen, Biologist III at Waccasassa Forestry Center with FDACS’ Florida Forest Service, has worked on more than a dozen state forests during his 28-year career. Since joining Waccasassa in 2004, Pedersen helped increase breeding pairs of red-cockaded woodpeckers at Goethe State Forest from around 30-40 pairs to over 80. The red-cockaded woodpecker was reclassified from federally endangered to threatened in fall 2024. Pedersen has also worked to protect the Etoniah rosemary plant and is among the few certified drone pilots in the Florida Forest Service.
“Charlie Pedersen is exactly the kind of professional the Florida Forest Service is built on. He delivers results by combining decades of experience in the field with a willingness to use new tools and technology to do the job better,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “From improving forest conditions to supporting the recovery of key species, Charlie’s work at the Waccasassa Forestry Center reflects our focus on practical, science-based forestry that keeps Florida’s forests healthy, productive, and well managed.”
Matthew Koenig, Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist III with FWC’s Southwest Wildlife and Habitat Management Section/Division of Habitat and Species Conservation, manages Chinsegut, Perry Oldenburg, and Janet Butterfield Brooks Wildlife and Environmental Areas. He leads outreach efforts at Chinsegut Conservation Center while overseeing habitat management across multiple public lands.
“Matt is the perfect choice for winning this honorable award,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “His expertise, dedication, and leadership have all been instrumental to the significant improvements made to wildlife habitat in the WEAs he manages — no small feat considering the challenges of managing three different public lands. We’re very lucky to have him both as part of the FWC team and as a strong steward of Florida’s natural resources.” Â
Koenig emphasizes prescribed fire as a primary management tool for maintaining habitats that support native species such as Bachman’s sparrows, bald eagles, and gopher tortoises. He has led storm clean-up efforts during hurricanes in 2024 and works on protecting endangered plants found only in select locations.
The Resource Manager of the Year Award honors James A. Stevenson for his contributions to conservation through leadership roles within DEP’s Division of State Lands.
